Diet Coke Suit Goes Flat

Coca-Cola Co. won dismissal of a proposed class suit alleging Diet Coke is deceptively marketed.

Shana Becerra alleged the name “diet” inherently implies the drink will assist with weight loss, but it actually causes weight gain.

Her suit was one of many would-be class suits alleging makers of food, drinks, and other products mislead consumers about weight-reduction benefits.

But neither the brand name nor advertising would make consumers think Diet Coke would lead to weight loss absent any lifestyle change, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California said.

Consumers understand that diet soda deletes calories, and that the caloric reduction, combined with dietmanagement and exercise, will bring about weight loss, ...